Nancy Reagan: Fierce, Fashionable, Loyal

On Sunday, March 6th, Nancy Reagan released her last breath to join her late husband Ronald Reagan who passed away 12 years ago. The wife of the former American president died from congestive heart failure. She was 94.

She will best be remembered for her strong love for Ronald and her taste for fashion.

Nancy Reagan, the fierce woman

Back in 1985, the former actress filmed a couple of public announcements to push her anti-drug “Just say No” campaign. Addressing herself to the youth, the then-First Lady declared:

“Taking drugs and drinking aren’t things you should do just because some people say you should. If you just say no to drugs, alcohol and pills, you’ll be saying yes to a whole lot more.”

Following the making of the video for NBC’s Burbank studios, she added:

“I think we’re seeing the level of awareness going up. It is a pressing problem. We’re talking about losing the next generation.”

She played a major role as First Lady of the most powerful nation on earth. The “Dragon Lady” as she was nicknamed, is believed to have been behind the resignation of Chief of Staff Don Regan in the aftermath of the Iran-Contra affair which tarnished Ronald’s reputation.

Nancy Reagan, the fashion fanatic

Dressed by James Galanos during her husband’s two terms at the White House, Nancy adopted a simple but classy style. She would wear wool suits during trips to the Soviet Union, as if to represent the impassive characteristic in that part of the world.

In 1981, she provoked mixed reviews as she wore a peach outfit designed by Galanos at the wedding of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana. While the British press gave her thumbs up, American critics were left rather unfazed.

In 1987, she stole the show wearing an emerald velvet gown to the Opera, and announcing to the press that it was a creation of Carolina Herrera. A year later, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America for being loyal to local designers. Speaking about the word “loyalty,” Nancy sure knew its definition.

Nancy Reagan, the loyal wife

Although it is quite common for couples in the showbiz to split, Nancy officially said “yes” to Ronald in 1952 and forever remained with him. They tied the knot at the historic Little Brown Church; that was the 1,761st wedding ceremony held at this location.

Couples nowadays could take a tip or two from the pair who “never stopped courting” as Nancy’s press secretary Elen Crispen revealed to People.

As a loyal wife, Nancy started becoming overly protective in the mid-1980s when Ronald Reagan survived an assassination attempt. She then went the extra mile, calling on an astrologer for guidance. The latter, named Joan Quigley, declared in 1990 through her book about her spell at the White House:

“I was responsible for timing all press conferences: most speeches, the State of the Union addresses, the takeoffs and landings of Air Force One.

The astrologer, who went on to become famous after her relationship with Nancy got leaked in the media, further wrote:

“I picked the time of Ronald Reagan’s debate with [Jimmy] Carter and the two debates with Walter Mondale; all extended trips abroad as well as the shorter trips and one-day excursions.”

Nancy also stayed by her husband’s side when Alzeihmer robbed Ronald of the good memories he shared with his loving wife. Only death separated them when the former U.S. president died in 2004.

Nancy is to be buried next to Ronald at the Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California. Their love stories continues…

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Angela Asante is a contributor at www.WorkingMomIn20s.com and Bold.Global with a particular focus on motivational messages and job tips articles. Her passion for soccer pushed her to build a career in sports journalism years ago. She works at LiveSoccerTV.com as the Digital Content & Social Media Manager and is affiliated to CBC/Radio-Canada as well.
Angela also contributes to the BBC World Service's Afrique branch as a freelance correspondent when she is in Ghana, her home country. Having spent her childhood in France, she speaks native French and has a lot of love for French culture.
Aside work, Angela spends most of her time studying journalism and photography, reading motivational messages and psychology articles, learning about Ancient African history and cosmology, connecting with her family and friends, listening to music and watching classic French movies. Angela also loves humor, good food and traveling.